Turning Points YVLifeSet helps Jamyra achieve her goals

Jamyra was on her way to becoming just another negative statistic — a former foster child who failed to become an independent adult. But, just when the young woman needed help most, Turning Points for Children partnered with Youth Villages to bring YVLifeSet to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Jamyra was 14 years old when she became pregnant with her first child. She dropped out of school in the ninth grade, had another child. Moved from foster care to shelters to her mother’s house.

She was 20 and pregnant again when she became one of the first program participants helped by YVLifeSet specialist Lillian Penn. Things looked pretty bleak.

Jamyra’s children had been taken into custody because one was injured in a domestic violence incident. City social workers really didn’t believe Jamyra would be able to provide a safe home for her children. They were moving toward adoption.

But Penn saw things differently.

“She was a nurturing mother,” Penn said. “There was never any question about her parenting.” But there were lots of other questions. ”When I first met her, she was unemployed, frustrated with the child welfare system, without a stable home….”

Because YVLifeSet specialists have low caseloads, Penn was able to have the time to work deeply with Jamyra. The program is youth driven. It’s voluntary and the young people identify their own goals and learn how to achieve them.

The two met in the community: At mom’s house, at the Turning Points office, at the shelter they secured for Jamyra, at Family Court.

“She had a hard time speaking up for herself,” Penn said. “I encouraged her to talk to her case manager, to explain some things, to build a bridge. She learned that relationships matter. I wanted her to know that she does have a voice.”

Penn stood up for Jamyra at court, and the changes in the young mother were apparent. She was awarded unsupervised visits with her children. With her new confidence, Jamyra applied for a job in home health and got one.

Through support from the Turning Points YVLifeSet program, the trajectory of Jamyra’s life has changed in just four months. She will be able to be the parent her children deserve, and she’s set new goals.

“I want to work in a hospital or a nursing home,” Jamyra said. “I need training. I don’t have my GED or high school diploma. That’s my next step.”

The young people Penn is helping are seeing the same positive changes in their lives.

“Young people see the growth, see the positive changes in their lives and that makes them want to do more,” Penn said.